Feature Friday with Jennifer Potter of Photographs by Jennifer!

Jennifer of Photographs by Jennifer was the winner of our 'truth' theme last week, and has shared a bit about her feelings about truth in her photography, as well as more of her gorgeous work!



'I was pretty excited to have my photograph be the winner for Snap Maven's "Truth" theme. It is a theme that hits close to home for me and what my personal photography represents. Something I've always emphasized when anyone asks me about my style or how I feel about my photography is this....my truth.'  

'My truth is beautiful to me. When I am shooting for myself, the moments that I want to remember, honesty is so important to me. The thing is, this isn't just about me. It's about them.  It's about those people that inspire me. It's about the children that give my life purpose, the husband that is my strength and my other half, and my family....my people. I want them to be able to recall an honest memory from my work. I want them, especially the children, to see a picture I've taken of their life and have that moment come alive again.'

'A picture truly is worth a thousand words. Make those words have value. Make them real. Make them true. No matter how busy you may be with the business side of your photography, please make time to shoot your truth. It is the one thing you will have when the rest is gone....and it goes by all too quickly.'
 - Jennifer

Find more of Jennifer's beautiful work here:

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Meet This Week's Judge: Sharyn Thompson

This week's judge is the talented Sharyn of Sharyn Thompson Photography. Enjoy her inspirational photos and thoughtful reflections on her photographic journey!

1. Tell us about yourself...
I'm an Australian mother of four and a wife of one, living on the sunny Gold Coast. Our eldest child is 10 and has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a terminal muscle-wasting disease. He is in a wheelchair most of the time now. But we refuse to let the thought of the future bring us down. We live for today, and do as much as we can as a family. We have travelled extensively, having lived in Japan and Singapore and UK, and believe that travel is the best education our children can get. I have been a banker, a business analyst for Harlequin Mills & Boon (the romance publishers) and a preschool teacher. But I'm now a SAHM. My youngest will be heading off to "big school" in January, and I am already trying to work out what I'll do with my spare time. I'm not fit like I used to be, and that needs to change. I love cooking (hence my previous comment) and writing and, of course, taking photographs. My favourite coffee is a skim vanilla latte, and I'm a Sauvignon Blanc drinker when it comes to wine. Chocolate is my favourite food, and I'm currently addicted to Madam Secretary, Revenge, Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, and Resurrection. The best place I've ever visited (and I've visited 22 countries) was Scotland - such amazingly beautiful countryside and history. The kids still talk about it to this day.  

2. What ignited your passion for photography, and what fuels it now?
My dad used to be a photographer, old school with his own darkroom. So there's always been that passion within my family. I got my first camera when I was just 5. It was a Kodak Instamatic. I loved that camera and took it everywhere with me. When I was 15, my mum gave me her Fujica SLR and I spent many an hour learning how to use it. Over the years, I've progressed to Digital and then DSLR, but it wasn't until I joined a 365 project group that my passion really took off. Suddenly, I was exposed to amazingly talented photographers, inspiring me to learn and be as good as I could possibly be. And so began my love of workshops and breakouts and countless hours spent on the internet researching. My 365 pushed me to learn, and learn some more, and recognise that I will never be done learning as photography is an ever evolving world. I've learnt so much in a short period of time (less than 2 years), and I love sharing what I've learnt with others. These days, my passion is fueled still by my 365 group, but mostly by my family. I believe you can never have too many photographic memories. Ever.  

3. What's in your camera bag right now, what do use the most? the least?
Canon 6D, Tamron 70-200 2.8, and Sigma Art 35 1.4. They pretty much share equal time on my camera - 70-200 for portraits and outdoor shots, and 35mm for walkabout and indoors. I also have a Canon 17-40 and Sigma 105mm macro, but they are only used for specialised shots. I have a speedlite 430EX ii, but I've never used it! Shocking, I know! What can I say - I adore natural light or ambient light. I always carry a spare battery and charger, lenspen, and extra SD cards. 

4. What's your dream project or shoot?
I'd love to do a concept shoot, with an old world feel. It would involve extravagent sets and beautiful styling in a stunning location. Combine that with boudoir and that would be awesome!! I'd totally love to shoot a boudoir session, but I really don't have the confidence to do so.

5. What is the biggest challenge you face as a photographer?
Time. I have four kids, so shooting for me is hard when I always have kids in tow, I can't just walk around and use the time to take photos of things that I'd like, because they're always hurrying me along. My husband always tells me, "life isn't one big photo shoot", but I truly believe it is! LOL! Oh, and money - I need lots and lots and lots of money to have everything I want to shoot the photos I want. Because isn't the camera gear the most important thing? If you have a nice camera, you'll take nice photos? Or something like that. ;-)

6. If you had $500 to spend on photography...
How should you spend it? On a Lensbaby. I crave the creativity and beauty that comes with one of those lenses. How do you wish you could spend it? On a 200 2.0, if only they were that cheap. Wishful thinking, right? How would you really spend it? Probably on a Lensbaby for myself for christmas. What? You mean mums don't actually have to buy their own christmas presents?  

7. Is there any one thing you wish someone had told you at the very beginning of your photography journey?

That making a business out of photography is hard when there are so many photographers out there depreciating our value. I charge what I know I'm worth, not what the misinformed public think they should pay. I never knew that I would be so frustrated at how some photographers devalue themselves and everyone else by making their prices so low. On a positive note, no one ever told me how amazing my photography community could be - I found that out by myself and am thankful every day for having all those incredible people in my life. I'm truly lucky to be exposed to so much beauty and support and love.

{truth}

So when I was asked to select the theme for last week, I had no idea where to start. 

I first scanned through my own images to see if something would jump out at me and when that didn’t work, I started hunting for quotes from my favourite authors. 

I had a few that I thought would work but when I finally came across the one from C. S. Lewis, it was the perfect fit. 

So here’s the truth: judging this week has been a daunting challenge, not only in having to choose winning images but in explaining exactly why I chose them. Definitely pushing my comfort zone!

I selected this image for a number of reasons, it has a solid composition, the warm skin tones suit the subject matter, and it tells an important story. We think of breastfeeding as the idyllic part of motherhood 

but just like all the other mothering tasks it holds its own challenges.

Collaboration With Light

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I like that this image opens up the imagination to finish the story. 

I like that the little girl is dressed sweetly and yet her crossed fingers suggest she might not be a saint. ;) 

MColichio Photography

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Who doesn’t love a good nose-picking picture? 

The goofy glasses and monkey jammies and the mop of bedhead hair complete it perfectly.

MColichio Photography

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I liked this shot for it’s great perspective. Sometimes we need to rise above the mess to see the big picture. 

Kim De Araujo Photography

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I like the subdued tones and how my eye rests on the girls sleeping face. It brings my own childhood sharply into focus especially those late nights when I was tired enough to sleep with the light on. 

The Wild Child Photography

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This little girl’s breathless expression is perfectly captured. 

Reminds me of the rush of post-dinner routines with little ones. We all need a moment to catch our great sometimes!

Lexi Green Photography

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Kids worry. Sometimes kids worry a lot. This portrait is reminder of how many questions a child’s mind can hold.

Elise Meader Photography

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This one is definitely a brave and honest self-portrait. The journey to beauty isn’t often that beautiful itself 

and high five to a woman with enough self confidence to not give a rats who sees it.

On a wire photography & design

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This one reminds me of a Mary Cassett painting. Its warm tones and soft focus makes it seem dreamlike but the truth is, we have a knack of reminiscing through rose-colored glasses. If I was the mother telling the truth on this shot instead of calling back to “the good old days," I might not see it as quite that beautiful.

Melina Nastazia Photography

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This one just made me laugh! Toddlers are tyrants.

Alec Mills Photography

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The winner is…

Jennifer Liston Potter

I’m sure there were lots of people out there who saw this image and said “Amen!”

It is very appropriate for me to select a motherhood self-portrait as the winner :) I love the posture of both baby and mom, especially how babe’s knee tugs down at her shirt. (Makes me remember often tugging up my own.) 

I like the strong lines framing the subject and I love the contrast in tone and focus with the strong elements reminding us of the strength of mothers but the reflection of the afghan a reminder of their softness.  

Vanessa Day Photography

Website: http://vanessadayphotography.com

Blog: http://vanessadayphotography.com/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanessadayphotography

Twitter https://twitter.com/vanessadayphoto

truth {Mavenista style}

~~~~~

Eastview Photography

      “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” ― Kahlil Gibran

~~~~~



Jujujems Art and Photo Studio

Truth-Four year olds color on the glass. Thankfully it happened in beautiful light.



~~~~~


Mel Karlberg Photography

Truth - it's rarely quiet.  And I love that.


A/Z Photography

Truth: It's never too wet to play.

The Maven Flyer Vol. 35

Welcome to 

 The Maven Flyer

Vol. 35

For the week of October 27, 2014

Here we will offer suggestions for places for you to submit your images

for sharing and competition.

If you have or know of a sharing community or theme, please let us know

by emailing the name, link, and specifics to 

snapmaven.info @gmail.com

At this time you will need to visit each page to learn the specifics of the pages 

rules and deadlines for sharing images.

Happy Sharing Everyone!

Snap Maven ~  Night, Weekly Favorite Experiments
Clicking Moms ~ Halloween

Distorted Beauty~ Imperfect

In Beauty & Chaos~ Halloween, Weekly Favorites

Evoking You~ ?

The Dark Room~ Story , Weekly Favorites

The Gratitude Collaborative ~ Bundled

Fantastically Flawed~ Fine art portrait (until Tuesday)

Spark~ Trick or treat

Giggles&Goldfish~Everyday Favorites

Picture Me Project~Include yourself in the image somehow!

We Were There Too~ Get in the photo with your kids!

Lemonade and Lenses~Weekly Favorite

Mozi Magazine~Weekly Favorite

Seniorologie~ Weekly Favorite(senior)

Love Photographs Beautifully~Imperfect
Measure In Love~ Hearts

Photographer's Connection~Weekly Favorite

Privizzini's Passion Photography~?

Photo Artistry~Weekly favorites, Monthly theme "Black and white"

Angie Marie Photography~ Fall

Light Inspired~ Food, weekly favorite

M4HP~?

Simple Sally~Messy

30 Minutes in the Life~ Evoke

Life Defined Project~Summer

Reflections~ Golden light

Sweet Little Muse~Spooky

Little Bellows~Halloween, Weekly favorite

Photo Corner~ weekly favorite

In Your Own Light~Freelensed

By The Light~   Autumn
Life's Experience p52~Cozy
 Fleeting Lights ~ On hiatus
The Monochromatic Lens~Weekly Favorite
My Beautifully Chaotic Lifestyle~ Beautifully Chaotic
Let the Kids Dress Themselves~ Spooky
SHOTMagazine~ open, one photo per day
Faradiddles~ On Hiatus (No theme)
The Organic PhotograpHERS~ Rustic - foodie week
A Day in the Life~ At the end of the day
Honestly, Photography  ~ Spooky

M.O.O.D. ~ Full of light

Minimalist Mondays ~Minimalist
Euphoric Capture~ Moody BW
CLICK STYLE~ Everything Halloween
Yip Yap Girl~ Halloween
The Inner Lens~Satisfied
Chasing Sunflares ~ On hiatus
The Masterpiece~Costumes&Disguises, Weekly favorite
3 Cats Photo~ ?
Stand Alone Magazine~ On hold till the end of the month
The Snappy Mama~Pair
Photographer Obsessed~Joy
In shadow of life~BW weekly favorites
The Creativity Project- October - Body parts
Poétique~ The Raven
Boys Will Be Boys~Monochrome
<<<>>>

That concludes the links for this week!

If there is a link you'd like to see here, please let us know at

snapmaven.info@gmail.com

Please allow 2-3 weeks for addition to The Maven Flyer

Same goes for errors, though we hope to get those fixed right away.
Future issues of The Maven Flyer will be posted on Monday evenings.

You can't get featured if you don't submit!!

Go for it!

If you would like to receive
The Maven Flyer
in your inbox each week
please sign up
HERE.

Feature Friday with Tressa Ranee Photography!

The winner of last week's 'shape' challenge is Tressa Ranee Photography, and she has sweetly agreed to answer a few of our questions and share some more of her beautiful work!

1. Please tell us about yourself...
I am an amateur photographer whose love of photographing old cars and trucks has evolved in to the rewarding, fun, albeit sometimes challenging, world of family photography in the last two years. I am the mother of three amazing teenagers, three lovable canines, and a school counselor by day :)

2. Can you describe your style in 3 words? Why those words?

Creative. Real. Fun.

3. What sparked your passion for photography?
I have always had a passion for photography and have a difficult time remembering when I didn't have a camera in hand :) I am constantly framing the world around me and viewing it as I would behind the lens of a camera. I am forever inspired by the beauty here in the West where wide open spaces and mountainous landscapes lend themselves to creativity and provide daily inspiration.

4. What's in your camera bag right now?

A Nikon D600 with a 24-85mm lens and a Canon Rebel T3i with a 55-250 and an 18-55 mm lens.

5. What is your dream shoot or project?
Coming across a picturesque field with a rusting relic on its premises. On the flip side, photographing families and capturing those tender moments and loving interactions in an image that will last forever.

6. What are some of the misconceptions you had about photography and photographers at the beginning of your photography journey? Have they changed, and how?

I am self-taught in my journey and still have so much to learn. The one thing I struggle with is drowning that little voice telling me that I am not a "real" photographer.      

7. What advice would you give to newbie photographers? What advice do you wish you'd been given at the very beginning?
Honestly, I feel I am at the beginning and would define myself as a newbie :) So from one newbie to another.......always be open to new experiences!

Find more of Tressa's beautiful photography here:

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Meet This Week's Judge: Vanessa Day

Vanessa of Vanessa Day Photography shares the truth in her snapshots of motherhood in a series of revealing and intimate portraits: 



"The inspiration for my self-portraits of motherhood actually came from Dana Pugh’s 5 Minute Project  She had started a project where she would pick up her camera for five minutes and then share what she captured. After sharing a few of these, she started a new blog and requested submissions. I was pondering ideas for this blog when I stared down at my hands in the soapy dish water and thought, this is all I see every day, this is what I should capture. The years of motherhood with little ones can feel awfully small, stifling and overwhelming but can also be full of joy and beauty. I often feel as though I am straddling two worlds, one I am barely surviving, the other I can hardly drink in enough of it. My goal in taking these self-portraits is to document the conflict of these worlds and foster humility and empathy within myself and my sisterhood."